ATLANTA, GA – The City of Atlanta, in partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health and a growing network of healthcare, academic, and community organizations, proudly announces the launch of Make Atlanta Your Own Gym (MAYOG), a citywide physical activity campaign designed to help Atlantans embrace movement as a free, accessible, and enjoyable part of everyday life.

“Creating opportunities for people to be physically active is an important part of supporting healthier communities,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, Director of the Fulton County Board of Health. “This campaign makes free, accessible fitness opportunities available in neighborhoods across Atlanta, helping residents find simple ways to stay active.”

The campaign aligns with the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation initiative and supports the national goal of helping 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027.

“Building healthier habits starts with making physical activity part of everyday life. Make Atlanta Your Own Gym empowers residents of all ages and abilities to embrace movement in ways that are accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable,” said Dr. Ammy Astacio, Healthcare Manager at the Fulton County Board of Health”.

Rooted in the idea of creating “a city where every Atlantan perceives movement as a natural, accessible, and enjoyable aspect of daily life,” MAYOG fosters health, wellness, nutritious living, and community involvement by motivating residents to include physical activity in their everyday routines. By raising awareness, broadening access to parks and recreation, and strengthening community partnerships, the program aims to enhance health outcomes and cultivate a healthier, more united Atlanta.

The campaign is supported by an expanding coalition of partners, including the Atlanta Beltline, Emory Healthcare, Morehouse School of Medicine, Hight Health, Father Movement, Inc. Open Hand Atlanta, Peace in the Wild, Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc., The Mental Wrap Practice, UGA Extension (Fulton County), The Wellness Navigator, community health workers, nonprofits, and faith-based and community organizations. Together, these organizations will strengthen community outreach, expand access to preventive health resources, and connect residents with opportunities to lead healthier lives.

“Healthy communities begin with small decisions. By transforming daily spaces into opportunities for activity, we’re supporting the development of a healthier, more resilient Atlanta, one step at a time,” states Dr. Ja’Len Husband, Manager of Community Health Program at Emory Healthcare.

Make Atlanta Your Own Gym brings together healthcare providers, community organizations, educational institutions, and local government to make physical activity easier to access and sustain. Through clinical referrals, wellness education, community outreach, and neighborhood partnerships, residents will be connected to free resources that encourage healthier lifestyles.

The campaign will activate Atlanta’s parks, trails, recreation centers, and public spaces through walking groups, fitness classes, wellness workshops, pop-up events, and seasonal programming. Research and evaluation partners will help measure impact while ensuring the initiative continues to meet the needs of residents of all ages and abilities.

“Atlanta is a group project, and that means every resident plays a part in building a healthier future for our city,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “Make Atlanta Your Own Gym empowers our communities to embrace movement wherever they are. By turning our parks, sidewalks, trails, and neighborhoods into spaces for wellness, we’re reinforcing that fitness should be free, accessible, and welcoming to all.”

The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 400 parks and trails, 31 recreation centers, 15 outdoor pools, four natatoriums, and numerous cultural and specialty facilities. Through Make Atlanta Your Own Gym, the city continues its commitment to expanding equitable access to recreation, wellness resources, and family-centered programming while inspiring every Atlantan to make movement a part of daily life.

For more information, details on upcoming events, or ways to get involved, click here Make Atlanta Your Own Gym | Atlanta, GA